Her motto? “I always say everyone should be either planning a holiday or on a holiday.” Planning holidays is Alison’s forte. She organised the first Princess Bowls Cruise to New Zealand with tailor made bowling shore excursions for a group of 62. With over 35 years’ experience hand-selecting only the best experiences to suit her clients, she can perfect even the most complex holiday booking.
Considering a cruise escape? Speak to Alison. She has a wealth of cruise knowledge and expertise to share, as she specialises in Ocean Cruise, River Cruise, Luxury Cruise and Expedition Cruise.
She is also a destination expert when it comes to any type of holiday to Europe, New Zealand, North America and the South Pacific.
On the cruising front, Alison has sailed many cruises in the past. She has travelled on a multi-generational cruise with her family on board Celebrity Solstice to the South Pacific. More recently an exclusive cruise from Barcelona to Rome on board the brand new Viking Orion. “It was adults only, with no casino and a beautiful infinity pool, all while sailing through the stunning blue waters of the Mediterranean.”
Perhaps one of her favourite destinations of all is tropical Hawaii. “I love the gorgeous blue skies, the clear waters, the Hawaiian smells and colours and the wonderfully friendly people. It makes you feel like you're on holidays immediately.” In Hawaii, she suggests staying at the Moana Surfrider. “You cannot miss the afternoon sunset under the banyan tree at the Beach Bar. It’s just magnificent.”
Alison is full of practical advice that makes deciding on the finer details of your next holiday more exciting than it is daunting. “For a great hotel, Secrets The Vine Cancun in Mexico is an all-inclusive adults-only spot bordered by beautiful Caribbean waters. Make sure to not miss Coco Bongo for a great night out,” she recommends. Another top tip for Mexico? “Don’t miss zip lining through the jungle!”.
On the other side of the planet, Alison is a big fan of Mykonos. “It’s just postcard perfect.”
Near or far, Alison can make your next holiday a once-in-a-lifetime experience you’ll look back on and cherish for many years to come.
Testimonials
Alison, our travel agent, utilises her extensive travel knowledge and experience to plan our travel holidays to meet our goals. She is efficient and an effective communicator and understands our needs which makes it a pleasure dealing with her. She engenders confidence in our travel plans. She demonstrated her skills and knowledge after we became trapped in Egypt, planning to travel to Jerusalem, when the war broke out on 7 October, 2023. She arranged our exit via another route.
It is with pleasure that I write a testimonial for Ms Alison Lord as Business Leader, Travel Associates at Turramurra, New South Wales. My comments concerning her testimonial are founded on a period of over 10 years as one of many clients in her organisation of a range of travel experiences, but particularly cruise holidays throughout the world. In the first instance, Alison’s friendly manner makes her a delight to business with. No request is seen as a problem and her positive approach makes you feel that you are the most important passenger in the world. Through her astute questioning during the early stages of planning a travel experience, Alison clearly identifies the client’s needs and then through suggestion and discussion shapes a most memorable travel experience that is cleverly tailored to the client’s holiday and financial needs. Alison has an extensive and contemporary knowledge of the cruising options and the ports of call throughout the world. She can readily provide informed and insightful advice on each aspect of the travel experience without wishing to impose on the client any particular experience. On the basis of the comments from many of our travelling friends who are Alison’s clients, she provides insights and advice willingly and this in turn gives the clients confidence in relation to the unknown path ahead. Not once have I heard criticism from my sailing friends about Alison’s organisational skills. On the contrary, we are all most appreciative that the prompts for payment are provided by Alison and as the travel experience approaches the date for departure, relevant documentation is provided by Alison, who then follows up to ensure that there are no misunderstandings. Alison’s positive interpersonal manner, efficient management skills and extensive knowledge of traveller experiences have always ensured that she provides a value-added experience for our holidays. We are very grateful. I recommend Alison to you as a person of high integrity and extensive experience who understands and anticipates client travel needs, thereby ensuring the most satisfying holiday experiences.
We are full of praise and appreciation for the attention and service Alison and the team at Travel Associates Turramurra always give us. Over the past 8 years, having booked many international tours and domestic iconic excursions we are totally delighted with all the arrangements. Alison has taken our travel Ideas and formatted them with fantastic realistic options. We have embarked on fabulous tours by companies including A P Touring, Bunnik, Emerald, Hurtigruten, and matched with timely flights, extended city stays and great stop overs. Every one of the tours have been coordinated without any travel glitches (except for covid!). Alison had always given us the reminders and follow ups to ensure all the information required before departure is lodged, with any additional tours booked and blending our own plans and arrangements beautifully. With her vast personal experience, the recommendations, many practical tips, the commentary by herself or one of the other staff have been invaluable in putting our travel plans together. Alison has helped expand our horizons in travel boosting our shared excitement in the preparation and even along the journey. Thank You so much for your insight and passion for travel Alison.
In the past I used various travel agents until I was recommended to your office. I am very pleased with the excellent professional and friendly service. Prompt response from you and your experienced team counts.
Alison Lord and her team at Travel Associates, Turramurra, have provided exemplary travel advice and service for my wife and I for the past five years. Alison has given us great travel options, suggestions and advice based on her understanding of our needs and preferences. We particularly like cruising and in this, Alison excels. Whether it be choosing a cruise, a land tour, arranging flights, visa advice or choosing a hotel, Alison provides that personal and complete service that makes for a great travel experience. We know we can rely upon the advice we get from Alison and her team. Her knowledge and experience in all aspects of travel make dealing with her and Travel Associates a trouble-free experience and that gets us off to a great travel experience. We particularly appreciate the personal service and feel that Travel Associates Turramurra are our friends as well as our travel advisors.
We have been using Travel Associates Turramurra (previously Cruiseabout) for our personal travel bookings and advice since 2012. Their prompt response to enquiries, extensive knowledge of destinations and travel options, consideration of client needs, attention to detail, and goal of client satisfaction are why we are still using the same Agency so many years on.
Whether we know exactly what we want to do; or we start with the shell of a travel plan; or have no idea where we would like to go, our advisor Alison Lord is there to help us every time. Each of our holidays is planned perfectly to ensure everything goes smoothly. Any last-minutes changes are handled efficiently and without fuss. Alison always makes a point of covering every little detail from reminding us about Visas, excursion bookings, dining options etc, then providing us with paperwork which summarises the whole trip.
Alison, Kirsten and Jennifer, the fabulous team at TA Turramurra, are all well-travelled and each is happy to share their experiences to create interesting itineraries.
All clients of TA Turramurra benefit from the close connections and mutual respect the travel advisors have with various cruise lines and tour companies. Alison has been known to find “miracle” bookings for us when all seemed impossible. We are extremely satisfied TA Turramurra clients and have been more than happy to refer their services to friends and family.
Geoff & Cathy Cook
